By Abigail Philip David
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has revoked 4,794 land titles due to the non-payment of ground rent totaling N6.9 billion over the past 40 years.
This was disclosed in a statement on Monday by Wike’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, following a press briefing by the FCT Director of Lands, Chijioke Nwanwkoeze.
According to the statement, 8,375 property owners in prime districts—including the Central Area, Garki I & II, Wuse I & II, Asokoro, Maitama, and Guzape—have defaulted on ground rent payments for 43 years. Of these, 4,794 land titles had been unpaid for over a decade.
Olayinka noted that despite multiple public notices and media announcements since 2023 urging defaulters to clear their outstanding bills, many allottees failed to comply.
“The FCTA published notices in national newspapers and broadcast media calling on defaulters to pay outstanding ground rents, but responses were minimal,” the statement read.
The revocation is based on provisions of the Land Use Act, which mandates yearly ground rent payments as part of land occupancy terms. Properties in ten key districts, including Central Area, Garki, Wuse, Asokoro, Maitama, and Guzape, were affected.
“As of the end of 2024, a total of N6.9 billion was owed in ground rent. In these districts, 4,794 landowners have defaulted for over 10 years, violating the conditions of their land grants under Section 28 of the Land Use Act,” the statement added.
While defaulters of over 10 years faced immediate revocation, those owing between one and ten years were given a 21-day grace period to make payments or risk losing their land titles.
Wike Orders Full Compensation for Gishiri Residents
In a related development, Wike directed the Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Territory Development Authority (FCDA), Richard Dauda, to ensure full payment of compensation to residents of Gishiri Community—or face dismissal.
The directive followed complaints from residents that the FCDA had underpaid compensation for properties demolished during the construction of Arterial Road N16, linking Gishiri to the Katampe District.
Despite the minister’s approval of N1.3 billion in compensation—an increase from the initial N655 million—residents alleged that the FCDA only disbursed N72,000 per affected person. They also accused the agency of refusing to compensate non-indigenes.
Wike, visibly angered, ordered the full and equal distribution of funds, emphasizing that compensation should not be based on ethnicity.
“The government does not pay compensation based on where you come from. Compensation is for property owners, regardless of their background,” Wike declared.
He warned Dauda against any discrepancies in payments, stating, “If I find out you’re doing anything shady, you will regret it. Pay people their full and rightful amounts.”
The directive aims to ensure fairness in the resettlement process as the FCT continues its infrastructure development projects.
